The independent expert took advantage of his mission to Somaliland to inquire about the case of Zamzam Ahmed Dualeh.

After some lengthy discussions, it was agreed Ms. Dualeh would be released into the custody of the independent expert.

On 2 February, Ms. Dualeh was unconditionally freed by authorities in Somaliland and released into the custody of the independent expert during the course of his mission in Hargeisa.

The independent expert offered his support to Zamzam Ahmed Dualeh should she wish to pursue her case, and he received an agreement from Somaliland authorities to investigate her allegations of abuse.

The independent expert stressed to the Somaliland officials that they should investigate Ms. Dualeh's serious allegations of mistreatment while in custody.

The independent expert raised the case of Zamzam Ahmed Dualeh, the imprisoned 17 year old girl accused of espionage and sentenced to five years' incarceration in a  Somaliland prison (see paragraph 33 above), noting that the minor was reported to be in danger and that perhaps the case had attracted disproportionate international attention, but that a resolution could be found.

In meetings with some donors, the independent expert appealed to them to extend support to Zamzam Ahmed Dualeh who, given her experiences and the hardships that she was likely to encounter in her case, wished to start a new life outside Somalia.

A highlight of the independent expert's mission to Somaliland was the negotiated release of Zamzam Ahmed Dualeh of Puntland , a 17 year old girl who had been sentenced to five years' incarceration for espionage and for lying about her clan identity.